Husband?
My husband had died, so I was basically a widow. So how come I suddenly had a new husband? Was the officer pranking me? That would make sense. People nowadays enjoyed the misery of other people, so he must be pranking me.
But when he opened the cell, I knew he was serious about my case being dismissed.
Why? How was it dismissed when Candice and her mother presented so much evidence against me? The trial wouldn't just be pushed through like that.
I had so many questions, but the stoic old officer didn't seem to be the talkative type. He just led me out of the station without another word.
Outside the station, the night was deep and silent. I saw a sleek limousine parked in front, and there was a man in a black suit standing by the car's door.
The man gestured for me to get in.
I looked around me, wondering if he was referring to me or someone else. But there was no person beside me, and the officer who led me outside had gone back into the station. I was left alone.
Did Candice and Cora decide to just kill me instead of imprisoning me?
My heart thundered in my chest. With what happened to Logan, I wouldn't be surprised if that crossed their minds.
"Please, get in, Miss Elyn," the man said when I remained standing in the same spot for another minute.
"Who are you? Why do you know me?"
He didn't answer. He just kept gesturing for me to go inside. But how could I trust a stranger blindly?
I took a few steps forward, trying to get a look at who was in the passenger seat of the limousine, but the windows were heavily tinted.
"You will get answers once you get in. My master has granted you freedom, so we would appreciate your cooperation."
My brows knitted. That didn't sound like a request but more like a threat.
"Why don't you tell me first who you are? You can't just expect a girl to enter a stranger's car so easily."
I didn't know what had gotten into me. Maybe it was the lack of proper food and sleep in the detention cell, but I couldn't think straight. All I knew was I couldn't trust anyone easily, let alone get inside a shady person's car in the middle of the night.
I sprinted away from the station and away from the car.
Thankfully, the dress I wore was light and my shoes were flat. It would have been hard to run with my usual heeled shoes.
When I noticed the headlights of the limousine following me, I felt like my heart was going to tear my chest open.
Where would I even go? I didn't have a phone, and I came from the police station. There was no one to ask for help.
I tripped and almost kissed the pavement if I hadn't regained my footing. But before I could run again, the limousine had stopped in front of me. The window was half down, and even in the dark, it was enough for me to see the pair of dark eyes watching me.
"If you run like that, people would think I'm a kidnapper. That wouldn't help much for both our reputations, Miss Elyn Merrit."
His cool voice sent shivers down my spine. It was somewhat familiar.
Why was he calling me Elyn Merrit, though? That was my maiden name. Everyone knew me as Elyn Hansley now.
"Get inside before I lose my patience and decide to run over you."
This man. He sounded so authoritative. Could he be the person working for Cora and Candice? The one they paid to kill me?
But the flashy car, the expensive voice, and dangerous eyes… I couldn't see the person inside the passenger seat yet, but it felt like he couldn't be just someone's lackey. And his tone, it was elegant in a manly way. It reminded me of the normal speaking tone of the rich moguls Logan often met, the ones who held power from birth. I was getting the same feeling from this man.
"I'll count to three. If you are not inside by three, I'll consider you dead. Three-"
"Fine! Fine!" I blurted out, panicking.
The driver went out to open the door for me. I hastily climbed inside.
I sat across from the person sitting inside. The long seats were parallel to each other, and I was thankful the limousine was designed like that. I couldn't sit next to a stranger, especially not after he threatened me!
When I settled, that was when my gaze fell on the man sitting across from me. The lights were dim, but it was enough to recognize his features.
My jaw dropped.
"P-President?"
Why…
Why was the nation's president here with me?!